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Limiting factors in the detection of tree roots using ground-penetrating radar

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Abstract

It has been reported that ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a nondestructive tool that can be used to detect coarse roots in forest soils. However, successful GPR application for root detection has been site-specific and numerous factors can interfere with the resolution of the roots. We evaluated the effects of root diameter, root volumetric water content, and vertical and horizontal intervals between roots on the root detection of Cryptomeria japonica in sand using 900-MHz GPR. We found that roots greater than 19 mm in diameter were clearly detected. Roots having high volumetric water content were easily detected, but roots with less than 20% water content were not detected. Two roots that were located closely together were not individually distinguished. These results confirm that root diameter, root water content, and intervals between roots are important factors when using GPR for root detection and that these factors lead to an underestimation of root biomass.

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Abbreviations

GPR:

ground-penetrating radar

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a Grand-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (No. 18380095). We thank T. Chikaguchi, S. Narayama and M. Tanaka, of the Kansai Research Center, FFPRI, for preparation of the roots and experimental field.

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Author notes

  1. Masako Dannoura

    Present address: Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kansai Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI), 68 Nagai-Kyutaro, Momoyama, Fushimi, Kyoto, 612-0855, Japan

    Yasuhiro Hirano

  2. Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Kobe, 657-8501, Japan

    Masako Dannoura, Naoki Makita & Yoichi Kanazawa

  3. The General Environmental Technos Co., Ltd. (KANSO TECHNOS), Osaka, 541-0052, Japan

    Kenji Aono, Tetsurou Igarashi & Masahiro Ishii

  4. Hyogo Prefectural Technology Center for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Shiso, 671-2515, Japan

    Keitarou Yamase

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  1. Yasuhiro Hirano
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  2. Masako Dannoura
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Correspondence to Yasuhiro Hirano.

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Responsible Editor: Hans Lambers.

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Hirano, Y., Dannoura, M., Aono, K. et al. Limiting factors in the detection of tree roots using ground-penetrating radar. Plant Soil 319, 15–24 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-008-9845-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-008-9845-4

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